You! Be Inspired! – The Street Art of Blu

The amazing world of visual arts does not only ends on the use of paint and canvas, film, photography, design and form. Another awesome variation where most likely almost all the elements of artistry is applied is street art. It is commonly developed in public places in a form of paintings in giant canvases such as walls, windows, roads, bridges and other architectural forms. Over the years, the term is coined with graffiti work that can be called as unsanctioned art, as opposed to government sponsored initiatives. Although this is still somehow true today, more and more street artists have emerged to bring new forms of street art including LED art, murals, stencil art, street sculptures and installations, woodblocking and even video projection.

Speaking of street art, one name has emerged to be one of the most popular and influential street artists over the last decade. His name is Blu, an Italian artist who conceals his real identity. He lives in Bologna and has been creating street art since 1999.

In the early years of Blu’s career, his technique was limited to the use of the typical medium of graffiti work – spray paint. It was in 2001 when his unique characteristic style appeared. He started painting with house paint, using rollers mounted on top of long sticks which allowed him to increase the size of his canvas and communicate with a stronger intensity. His works are characterized by large human figures, sometimes sarcastic or dramatic that look like they were lifted from comics or arcade games. These massive paintings started appearing along the streets of Bologna around his time.

Another aspect that greatly influenced his early career was his collaboration works with other street artists like Dem, Sweza, Run and Ericailcane. Blu also started experimenting with digital animation during those years which then applied to some of his most popular video animations featuring his street artworks.

Blu’s artistic value has been noticed by some art galleries in 2004 which invited him to participate in various one-man or collective shows. However, he attempted to limit his presence within the official art world throughout his youthful career and prefer other kinds of territories. His major pieces aside from his videos are immovable giant murals in various places in Central and South America and Europe. Lets check out some of them below. Enjoy!

Check out Blu’s official webpage for more updates about his amazing street artworks or on his Facebook page.

NOTE: Images on this page are not owned by YouTheDesigner and are used solely as design examples and inspiration. Please click on the images to see their original sources.

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Kerby is an online marketer who has a keen eye in print design and creative artworks. When not at work, he spends most of his time in completing his sketchbooks with doodles and illustrations from anything that inspires him to draw. He is an avid fan of Japanese Anime, manga and some comic book characters. Check out his illustration blog and portfolio for more info.